4,500 THRESHOLD The market dipped below the key number shortly before rising to 4,502 points as bargain hunters reacted to news of an export decline last month

The weighted index fell 33.05 points to 4,502.74, off a low of 4,472.45 and a high of 4,546.71, on turnover of NT$59.56 billion (US$1.80 billion).

Losers led gainers by 760 to 747 with 246 stocks unchanged.

For the week, the weighted index fell 88.48 points or 1.93 percent after a 3.75 percent rise a week earlier. Average daily turnover stood at NT$76.18 billion, compared with NT$42.38 billion.

The market yesterday opened down 0.46 percent on follow-through selling from Thursday’s 5.3 percent plunge and once fell below the key 4,500 point level as the disappointing export data for last month dragged down confidence, dealers said.

However, bargain hunting then helped the broader market to hold itself above 4,500 points before closing, they said.